KR20070065224A - Latching trough-coupling system - Google Patents

Abstract

A latching trough-coupling system is provided to releasably connect first and second trough members through a coupler having each pair of first and second latches. A latching trough-coupling system(100) is composed of first and second trough members(102) for routing a signal transfer fiber and a coupler(104) for releasably coupling the first and second trough members to each other. The coupler has a pair of first latches(108) for releasably fixing the first trough member to the coupler and a pair of second latches for releasably fixing the second trough member to the coupler. Each latch is rotated between a connection position where the latches are combined with each trough member and a release position where the latches are not combined with each trough member.

Description

Latching Trough Connection System {LATCHING TROUGH-COUPLING SYSTEM}

1 is a perspective view illustrating a trough member connected to a coupler in an exemplary trough connection system.

2 is an exploded view illustrating the exemplary trough connection system of FIG.

3A-3D are perspective, top, front, and side views, respectively, of the latch of the exemplary trough connection system of FIG.

4 is a plan view of an exemplary trough connection system showing two trough members connected to each other by a coupler.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary trough connection system of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5.

6 is an exploded view of a coupler of another exemplary trough connection system.

7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of assembling a trough system.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: Trough Connection System

102: trough member

104: Coupler

106: Receptacle

108: latch

The present invention generally relates to a trough-coupling system for managing and organizing fibers such as optical fibers.

Optical fibers can be used to transmit large amounts of data and voice signals over relatively long distances with little or no signal degradation. For this reason, optical fibers have become widely used in the field of information and communication. As the use of optical fibers increases, new systems have been developed to manage and organize larger numbers of optical fibers.

In conventional telecommunications facilities, trough systems are used to route fiber optic cables. In general, trough systems are placed over fiber optic racks, cabinets, and other equipment. Even in small telecommunications facilities, trough systems can require significant time and money to install. Some systems require tools for installation of the trough system, in addition to assembly time and cost. Even systems that do not require tools for installation of the system may require tools for disassembly of the trough system, making it difficult to rebuild or move the trough system once installed.

The present invention typically discloses trough systems and components that can be assembled and disassembled quickly and easily without any tools. In one aspect, the telecommunications infrastructure includes first and second trough members for routing signaling fibers. A coupler is used to releasably connect the first trough member and the second trough member to each other. The coupler includes a pair of first rotation latches for releasably securing the first trough member to the coupler, and a pair of second rotation latches for releasably securing the second trough member to the coupler.

In another aspect, the present invention discloses a coupler for releasably connecting a first trough member and a second trough member to each other. The coupler includes a coupler body, a pair of first rotation latches for releasably securing the trough member to the coupler, and a pair of second rotation latches for releasably securing the other trough member to the coupler.

The invention also discloses a method of assembling an information and communications infrastructure.

Detailed descriptions refer to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the leftmost digit of a reference number indicates the figure in which the reference number first appears. Use of the same reference numerals in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.

Embodiments are disclosed that include a trough connection system and components thereof, such as a coupler, for connecting a plurality of trough members to each other. Also disclosed are methods of assembling and / or disassembling such a trough connection system. The trough connection system can be assembled and disassembled without any tools. This helps to minimize the time and cost of the installation and / or disassembly of the trough connection system after installation.

Embodiments are described in the context of a land-based trough system for managing optical fibers in telecommunications facilities. However, the embodiments described herein may be used in other environments and applicable to other situations. For example, the trough system can be placed at any desired location, including onshore, underground, or anywhere in between. In addition, the device can be used to manage fibers such as wire, ethernet cable, coaxial cable, and / or other signaling fibers, which are not optical fibers, and can be used in any environment where such fibers are used.

Illustrative Trough  Connection system

1 shows a portion of an example trough system 100 that includes a trough member 102 that is releasably held by a coupler 104. The trough system 100 may form part of the telecommunications infrastructure for managing and routing optical fibers. Although the second trough member is not clearly shown in this figure, the coupler 104 can be used to releasably hold the two members together. Also, while the illustrated coupler 104 is configured to receive two trough members 102 and hold the ends together, the coupler releasably joins two or more of any number of trough members, and / or Or to bond the trough members in different orientations with respect to each other. Conventional trough systems may include a plurality of trough members of the same or different shapes connected to each other by a plurality of couplers of the same or different shapes and structures. The trough system may also include components for connecting the trough system to one or more other fiber management structures, such as racks, cabinets, chassis, and the like.

In general, the trough member 102 fits within the gap or receptacle 106 of the coupler 104 and may be held in place by one or more latches 108. In the illustrated embodiment, two latches 108 are used to releasably hold each trough member 102 in place. The latch 108 is adapted to release each trough member 102 into the receptacle 106 with the release position (the rightmost latch 108 in the release position in FIG. 1), and each trough member 102. It is rotatable between the connecting position (three different latches 108 are shown in the connecting position in FIG. 1) for engaging and retaining in the receptacle 106. The user can easily secure the trough member 102 to the coupler 104 by simply inserting the end of the trough member 102 into the receptacle 106 of the coupler and rotating the latch 108 from the release position to the engaged position. . As will be described further below, the latch 108 may then be engaged in the connecting position to prevent it from being inadvertently released.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating the trough connection system 100 of FIG. 1 in more detail. As shown in this figure, the trough member 102 has one or more ridges 200 extending along all or part of the length of the trough member 102. Ridge 200 imparts strength and rigidity to trough member 102. The trough member 102 shown in the figure has three pairs of ridges 200 extending over the entire length of the trough member 102. Of course, the trough member 102 may have any number of ridges or may have no ridges at all. In addition, the trough member 102 may be formed in virtually any shape, size, and structure desired.

Coupler 104 includes an inner wall section 202 that fits within skeleton 204. The inner wall section 202 includes a tab 206 that snaps into the notches 208 of the skeleton 204 to hold the inner wall section 202 in place within the skeleton 204. The gap between the inner wall section 202 and the skeleton 204 defines a receptacle 106 for receiving the trough section 102 (the gap is best shown in FIG. 5). Alternatively, the coupler may be formed as a unitary body with a receptacle formed therein.

Coupler 104 also includes four rotatable latches 108 disposed within skeleton 204. The latch 108 has a release position where the trough member 102 can be inserted into the corresponding receptacle 106 (the rightmost latch is shown oriented in the release position in FIG. 2), and the trough member in the receptacle is driven by the latch. It is rotatable within the skeleton 204 between the connecting position (in FIG. 2 the other three latches are shown oriented in the connecting position) engaged and held in place. In the coupler 104 shown, two latches 108 are used to secure each trough member 102 to the coupler 104. However, it should be understood that any number of one or more latches may be used to secure each trough member 102 to the coupler 104. Also, when the coupler is configured to connect two or more trough members to each other, the coupler may include one or more additional latches for securing each additional trough member.

3A-3D show the latch 108 of the coupler of FIG. 1 in more detail. The latch 108 includes an elongated latch body 300 that defines the central axis of rotation of the latch. At one end of the latch body 300, an actuator arm 302 is disposed. Actuator arm 302 extends radially outward from the axis to provide a lever that can be used to rotate latch 108. A first engagement portion 304 is disposed at the distal end 306 of the latch 108 (ie, the end of the latch body opposite from the actuator). The first engagement portion 304 includes a pair of substantially parallel prongs extending radially from the axis. The second engaging portion 308 is disposed at the end of the latch body 300 close to the actuator arm 302. The second engaging portion 308 includes a point protruding from the disc shaped shoulder 310 formed at the upper end of the latch body 300 adjacent to the actuator arm 302. Engagements 304, 308 are configured to engage respective troughs 102 to secure the trough to coupler 104 when the latch is in the engaged position.

The latch 108 includes a retention groove 312 formed around the periphery of the latch body 300 directly above the distal end 306 of the latch 108. The skeleton 204 of the coupler 104 is formed with a hole (not shown in this figure) to receive the distal end 306 of the latch 108. The hole resembles a key hole and has a shape that is substantially the same as, but slightly smaller than, the engagement portion 304 and the distal end 306 of the latch 108. During assembly of the coupler 104, the engagement portion 304 and distal portion 306 of the latch 108 may be pressed through the aperture until the retention groove 312 snaps into the aperture. Because the distal end 306 of the latch is larger than the hole, the latch is retained in the hole. As described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 5, the shoulder 310 helps to stabilize the latch 108 for rotation within the coupler 104.

Referring to FIG. 3C, each latch also includes a fastening mechanism 314 disposed on the underside of the actuator arm 302. The fastening mechanism 314 is adapted to engage a portion of the coupler 104 to hold the latch 108 in a connecting position that engages each trough member 102. Any suitable type of fastening mechanism may be used to hold the latch in the connecting position, for example, wedge shaped blocks, detent mechanisms, interference fits, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3D, the latch body 300 is tapered towards the distal end 306 of the latch body 300. In other words, the end of the latch body in which the actuator arm 302 is disposed is larger than the end of the latch body in which the engaging portion 304 is disposed. The latch body 300 also includes a rotation limiting flange 316 extending over most of the length of the latch body 300. The flange 316 limits the rotation of the latch 108 in the coupler 104 between the connecting and disengaging positions (eg about 90 degrees). Of course, the flange 316 can be configured to limit rotation to an angle greater than or less than 90 degrees. In addition, the latch 108 need not include a rotation limiting flange at all.

Although the specific configuration of latch 108 is described above, it should be understood that various other latch configurations may additionally or alternatively be used to secure the trough member to the coupler. For example, although the engagement portion is described as a prong and point that engages the trough member, the engagement portion additionally or alternatively provides a side of the trough member with the pad of high friction material to frictionally hold the trough member to the coupler. It can be configured as. Additionally or alternatively, the latch can be spring biased towards either the connect or release position. Many other latch configurations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

4 is a top view of the coupler 104 of FIG. 1 showing a coupler 104 connecting two trough members 102 to each other. Three of the four latches 108 of the coupler 104 are shown in the connected position. The fourth latch 108 (upper left corner in Fig. 4) is shown in the release position.

5 is a cross sectional view of the coupler 104 of FIG. 4, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the trough member 102 is inserted into a receptacle 106 formed by a gap between the skeleton 204 of the coupler 104 and the inner wall section 202. The engagement portion 304 and distal portion 306 of the latch 108 extend through the aperture 500 of the skeleton 204 of the coupler 104. Retention groove 312 of latch 108 fits into hole 500 to secure latch 108 for rotation within coupler 104. The shoulder 310 of the latch 108 rests on the top surface of the skeleton 204 and stabilizes the latch to allow smooth rotation with respect to the coupler 104.

The right latch member 108 is shown in the release position in FIG. 5 and is not engaged with the trough member 102. In this position, the rotation limit flange 316 abuts the surface of the skeleton 204 (not shown in this figure) to prevent the latch from further rotating (toward the ground) relative to the coupler 104. If the two latches 108 were in this position, the trough member 102 would move freely relative to the coupler 104. However, in FIG. 5, the left latch member 108 is in the connected position and engages with the trough member 102 to secure it to the coupler 104. In particular, the lower prong of the first engagement portion 304 digs into the side of the trough member 102, while the upper prong of the first engagement portion 304 is between the two ridges 200 of the trough member 102. Fit and engage with them. The second engagement portion 308 also penetrates the side of the trough member 102 to further secure the trough member 102 to the coupler 104. Thus, each latch 108 engages the trough member 102 in three different positions when in the engaged position. As described above, the latch 108 may be fastened to the connection position by the fastening mechanism 314. In order to detach the trough member 102 from the coupler, the user only needs to move the latch 108 corresponding to the trough member 102 to the release position. The trough member 102 will thus be freely removable from the coupler 104.

6 illustrates an alternative configuration of coupler skeleton 600. The latch 108 is not pressed through the holes in the skeleton as in FIGS. 1-5, but is inserted from the side of the skeleton 600 and held in place by the mounting plate 602 and fastener 604. Except, skeleton 600 is similar to that of FIGS.

The trough connection system and its components can be made of any material having a combination of desired strength, cost, weight, conductivity, and other physical properties, and can be made by conventional fabrication and assembly processes. Some suitable materials include, for example, metals, plastics, polymers, composites, and the like.

Example Assembly Method

7 illustrates an example method 700 of assembling a trough system, such as, for example, an telecommunications infrastructure. Of course, this method can be used to assemble the trough system in any other environment. At step 702, a first trough member is inserted into the first receptacle of the coupler. In step 704, the first plurality of latches of the coupler are rotated to the connecting position, where the engaging portion of the first plurality of latches engages with the first trough member to secure the first trough member in the first receptacle of the coupler. In step 706, the first plurality of latches are engaged in the connecting position. At step 708, a second trough member is inserted into the second receptacle of the coupler. In step 710, the second plurality of latches of the coupler are rotated to the connecting position, where the engaging portion of the second plurality of latches engages the second trough member and secures the second trough member in the second receptacle of the coupler. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second plurality of latches comprise two latches. In step 712, the second plurality of latches are engaged in the connecting position.

In step 714, it is determined whether the trough system is complete. If so, the method ends. If not, the method proceeds to step 716 where additional trough members are connected to the first and second trough members by additional couplers. The method then returns to step 714 where it is again determined whether the trough system is complete. The method repeats steps 714 and 716 until the trough system is complete. In this way, the trough system can be assembled for use in telecommunications infrastructure or other environments.

conclusion

While the invention has been described in terms of structural features and / or methodological acts, the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features and acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

In accordance with the present invention, a trough system and its components are typically provided that can be assembled and disassembled quickly and easily without any tools.

Claims (23)

First and second trough members for routing signaling fibers, A coupler for releasably connecting the first and second trough members to each other, The coupler includes a pair of first rotation latches for releasably securing the first trough member to the coupler, and a pair of second rotation latches for releasably securing the second trough member to the coupler. The telecommunications infrastructure of claim 1 wherein each latch is rotatable between a connecting position at which the latch engages with each trough member and a release position at which the latch does not engage with each trough member. 3. The telecommunications infrastructure of claim 2 wherein each latch comprises an actuator portion capable of rotating the latch between a connecting position and a releasing position, and a coupling portion engaging with each trough member when the latch is in the connecting position. 3. The telecommunications infrastructure of claim 2 wherein each latch has a fastening mechanism for releasably fastening the latch to a connection position. 3. The first and second trough members of claim 2, wherein the first and second trough members have ridges extending along at least a portion of the length of the trough members, each latch being adapted to engage at least one ridge when the latch is in the engaged position. Information and communication infrastructure having a coupling. The method of claim 1 wherein each latch is An elongated latch body defining a central axis of rotation of the latch; An actuator arm disposed at one end of the latch body and extending radially outward from the axis to provide a lever that the user can use to rotate the latch; And an engaging portion disposed at an end of the latch body opposite from the actuator arm and configured to engage with each trough member to secure the trough member to the coupler. The telecommunications infrastructure of claim 6 wherein the coupling portion comprises a pair of prongs projecting radially from the axis. 7. The telecommunications device of claim 6 further comprising a second engagement portion disposed at an end of the latch body close to the actuator arm, the second engagement portion configured to engage each trough member to secure each trough member to the coupler. Infrastructure. 7. The information communication device of claim 6, wherein each latch further comprises a fastening mechanism disposed on the actuator arm, the fastening mechanism adapted to engage with a portion of the coupler to hold the latch in a position to engage with each trough member. Infrastructure. 7. The information and communication infrastructure of claim 6 wherein the latch body is tapered and the end of the latch body in which the actuator arm is disposed is larger than the end of the latch body in which the engagement portion is disposed. The telecommunications infrastructure of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of couplers that directly or indirectly connect the first and second trough members to the plurality of additional trough members. A coupler for releasably connecting the first and second trough members together; With the coupler body, A pair of first rotation latches disposed in the coupler body for releasably securing the trough member to the coupler, And a pair of second rotation latches disposed in the coupler body for releasably securing the other trough member to the coupler. 13. The coupler of claim 12, wherein each latch is rotatable between a connecting position in which the latch is adapted to engage each trough member and a release position in which the latch is not engaged with each trough member. 15. The coupler of claim 13, wherein each latch comprises an actuator portion capable of rotating the latch between a connecting position and a releasing position, and a coupling portion adapted to engage with each trough member when the latch is in the connecting position. A coupler according to claim 13, wherein each latch has a fastening mechanism for releasably fastening the latch to the connecting position. The coupler of claim 13, wherein each latch has an engagement portion adapted to engage at least one ridge on each trough when the latch is in the engaged position. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein each latch is An elongated latch body defining a central axis of rotation of the latch; An actuator arm disposed at one end of the latch body and extending radially outward from the axis to provide a lever that the user can use to rotate the latch; A coupler disposed at an end of the latch body opposite from the actuator arm and including an engaging portion configured to engage with each trough member to secure the trough member to the coupler. 18. The coupler of claim 17, wherein the engagement portion comprises a pair of prongs that radially protrude from the axis. 18. The coupler of claim 17, further comprising a second engagement portion disposed at an end of the latch body close to the actuator arm, wherein the second engagement portion is configured to engage each trough member to secure each trough member to the coupler. 18. The coupler of claim 17, wherein each latch further comprises a fastening mechanism disposed on the actuator arm, the fastening mechanism adapted to engage a portion of the coupler to hold the latch in a position to engage the respective trough member. 18. The coupler according to claim 17, wherein the latch body is tapered and the end of the latch body in which the actuator arm is disposed is larger than the end of the latch body in which the engaging portion is disposed. It is a method of assembling trough system of information and communication infrastructure, Inserting the first trough member into the first receptacle of the coupler; Rotating the first plurality of latches of the coupler to a connection position that engages the first plurality of latches with the first trough member and secures the first trough member in the first receptacle of the coupler; Fastening the first plurality of latches to the connecting position. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising: inserting a second trough member into the second receptacle of the coupler; Rotating the second plurality of latches of the coupler to a connection position that engages the second plurality of latches with the second trough member and secures the second trough member in the second receptacle of the coupler; And fastening the second plurality of latches to the connecting position.

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